While the college process is daunting and often unpredictable, here are some evergreen tips to follow during high school to increase your chances of being admitted to top universities and colleges:

• Maintain a High GPA: A good GPA is crucial for admission to top universities and colleges. Aim for a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Some high schools grade harsher than others, and in these cases, some college counselors will send a note with your transcripts explaining the school’s grading/curve. Be sure to check with the appropriate teachers or counselors at your school if this is necessary. Remember that electives and required courses all count towards your GPA, so even if it’s a PE class, try your best! Some high schools also have Pass/Fail courses, so you’ll want to consider how those grades will affect your overall GPA.

• Take Rigorous Courses: Admissions officers at top universities and colleges want to see that you have challenged yourself academically. If your school offers them, take advanced classes like AP and IB courses in subjects you are interested in and do your best to excel in them. If your school doesn’t offer a particular advanced course, sometimes you can take these courses online. Do be sure to balance your coursework and try not to bite off more than you can chew, especially in your junior and senior years, as colleges and universities are looking closely at your grades from those years.

• Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities: Prospective colleges and universities want to see that you have interests and passions beyond academics. Join clubs, sports teams, volunteer organizations, or start your own project. It's better to show a serious commitment to a few activities than to be superficially involved in many groups and activities. If you want to pursue sports in college, you’ll likely have to be on a Varsity team at some point in high school. Some top colleges and universities look for certain athletes, so if you are highly skilled at golf, field hockey, crew, track and field, or any other sport, be sure to look into scholarships for athletes when you look at colleges. Ask your coaches about the recruitment process. Do you play an instrument? Maybe a top school is looking for a new trumpet player or a percussionist in their orchestra. Many extracurricular activities continue at the college level, and they need people with certain skills. Also, if you come from an immigrant family or an ethnic household, you can use your firsthand knowledge of your culture, history, and language to your advantage. Your background is a superpower that gives you a different understanding of the world than your peers, so don’t be afraid to use it. Volunteer in your local community. And, if there isn’t a club at your school that suits what you want to do, look into creating one with like-minded peers. You can also take advantage of technology, and collaborate with students in other countries, whether it’s a volunteer project that helps ship books to developing countries or an international news project wherein you discuss and write about important topics around the world. Don’t be afraid to try something new!

• Build Strong Relationships with Your Teachers: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, participate actively in class, and establish a positive rapport with your teachers. Teachers can and should become mentors and these relationships can lead to engaging and truly personalized letters of recommendation, which are required for most college applications. Some schools ask for up to three letters of recommendation from educators who have worked with you closely, so be sure to maintain strong relationships with teachers in multiple subjects so they can speak to your versatile skillset. You’ll want to continue to follow this tip once you get to your college or university as well. These kinds of relationships with teachers can lead to TA appointments, internships, and maybe even jobs!

• Score Well on Standardized Tests: While a majority of academic institutions are becoming “Test-Optional” or dropping their standardized test requirements entirely, some top universities and colleges still require the SAT or ACT, so prepare well for these exams if you choose to take them. Consider taking subject tests, which specialize in particular areas, as some schools require or recommend them. If you have a group of friends/peers who are planning on taking the same standardized test, see if you can get a discounted rate on group tutoring. Look for gently used test prep books online or at your local library.

• Start Preparing Early: Begin researching colleges and their admissions requirements in your freshman or sophomore year at the latest. Create a plan for the remainder of your time in high school: the courses you will take, the extracurricular activities you will pursue, and the standardized tests you will take. Keep in mind that colleges and universities can change their processes and requirements from year to year. For example, the pandemic heavily influenced the trend for schools to go “Test-Optional.” The list of schools that use the Common App changes from year to year. Try to keep an eye on your top school choices throughout high school to see if and how their application processes change.

• Write a Compelling Personal Statement: The personal statement is your chance to showcase your personality, goals, and experiences. Start brainstorming and writing early to give yourself plenty of time to edit and improve your essay. Remember that no one else has your exact story, your exact experiences. This is the time to help the admissions team get to know you and to learn why you might be a great fit for their institution. Don’t just regurgitate your resume and accomplishments; really try to open up and show them who you are. Again, this is another great vehicle to use your expertise on your own background, culture, and history should you wish you write about it.

• Make Connections with Students in Higher Grades: Watching older peers go through the college process teaches you more than any book can (although, some books can be very helpful). If you play sports or if you’re in classes or clubs with upperclassmen, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about how they’re approaching their applications. Most of the time, they will be happy to help make the process a little bit easier for the class behind them.

• Be Prepared for and Open to Different Outcomes: Some of you may have your heart set on one school that accepts Early Action or Early Decision, but you may need a back-up plan if that school doesn’t accept you. You may want to apply to 3-5 back-up schools. You may even want to apply to as many as 10 or 15 schools. It can be a numbers game. Waitlisting is another aspect of the process to consider. Ask your college counselors, teachers, and upperclassmen peers about their experience with waitlisting. Don’t be disappointed if you get waitlisted at a top school—you’re still in consideration! Sometimes, it helps to have more letters of recommendation sent out on your behalf. If you know someone who currently attends or has attended that school, sometimes their input can make the difference as to whether or not the school takes you off of their waitlist.

Remember that the admission process to top universities and colleges is highly competitive and it requires a lot of perseverance and a little bit of luck, so it's important to stay focused, motivated, and disciplined throughout high school. That said, you cannot take the college process personally. There are a great deal of talented and hard-working applicants, and there are only a certain number of spots available at each school. Trust the process and do your best and hopefully, you will find yourself at a great school that challenges you, makes you happy, and sets you up for future success.